Oops, Tiggy keys took a swim ...

[mojo]

I accidently went swimming at the beach with the Tiggy keys in my pocket yesterday. Of course, they don't work now - put them in the ignition and something along the lines of "Unknown Key" is displayed.

I've pulled the battery cover off and removed the battery, now it's sitting in the sun - is there any chance it'll come good once it's dried out? The roadside assistance guy seemed to think they'd be stuffed.

Assuming I may need to get a replacement, does anyone know where's the best place to go? I've heard that a replacement from VW could cost $1000 - that's a bloody expensive swim! If anyone has managed to find a cheaper place to buy a replacement key, I'd really appreciate your advice.

[buzuki]

replacement wont be anywhere near that, expect to pay under 500 programmed.

[roscoe1974]

Something to try (sounds like an Old Wives Tale but it worked for me) but put the Key in a jar of dry rice for a day or two - the rice will suck the moisture out of the electronics and you MIGHT get away with it. That being said though, the salt water may have knackered it rust-wise long term, but it's worth a shot. Just make sure get the loose rice particles back out of the interior. I did it with a mobile phone a couple of years ago and it brought it back. Good luck!

[kai_h]

Take the battery out.
Wash the key out very well in fresh water (distilled water if you've got it) and let it dry.
Let it rest in a jar of rice, or something else very dry that will suck the moisture out of the key fob. Leave it overnight, or for a couple of days.
Replace the battery and see if it works.

Even if the battery is flat, the immobiliser should still work as that's a passive system (at least I think it is) and the battery is only used for the transmitter to unlock/lock the doors etc...

If you've got your second switchblade key, you can get a non-switchblade key cheaper as a replacement if you're just keeping a spare. The bonus of a non-switchblade key is there's no battery in it, so it makes an ideal beach key

[Pullstarter]

Or you could flush it with electrical contact cleaner. The board is probably already corroded though, they do this alarmingly quickly.

[Sanman]

The key fob comes in two parts - clipped together - you can see the join line, and pull them apart, though it requires all my strength.
The front section with the switchblade key contains encapsulated electronics for the immobiliser, this results in the 'unknown' message you see when you turn it in the ignition. I'm surprised that water managed to get into this section, cross your fingers it will dry out.
The rear section with the button and battery is for the remote unlock, you have this under control.
The key fob is a few hundred to replace, including programming. You can buy afttermarket items from Ebay etc, but the problem is getting it trained to your car.

[fatmir305]

My keys got left in my jeans when they got a wash and same thing the keys wouldn't work.
Took it too VW and they swapped my key and reprogrammed it for free.
I thought I was going to pay a fair bit but nope they gave me a new key and I drove off

[team_v]

Hit up JMac, he has the ability to cut and prgram keys now i believe.......


This is why i got a blank blade off ebay and am going to get it cut to be my surf key.

[JustCruisn]

Another good way to dry out electronics.
Get some silica gel. The little bags you find in packaging these days that says 'do not eat'. Look in shoe boxes etc.

Put the gel bag and the wet electronics in a zip lock sandwich bag and place in the sun.
The heat from the sun gets the water out and the silica gel absorbs it.
I fixed my wife's phone this way.

[mojo]

Well after washing the key out with fresh water and then drying it in a container of rice for a couple of days, it's now working again. But I can already see some rust/corrosion in the area where the battery sits, so I assume the rest of the key wil be the same (I can't work out how to pull the key apart). I guess it will probably fail at some point in the future.

A VW dealer has indicated a replacement key is $250, plus $75 for programming. While still expensive, it's alot cheaper than the $1000 I'd been warned about. And if I shop around a bit hopefully I'll find it cheaper still.

Thanks for you help everyone!